Pedroto - “It will be good to start with a win” - Orange CAF Confederation Cup 2010

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Pedroto - “It will be good to start with a win”

08-04-2012

Pedroto - “It will be good to start with a win”

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Bernardino Pedroto, Head coach of Angolan side, Interclube has told Cafonline.com that he is looking forward to a winning start to their campaign at the group phase of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup.

The Angolan torchbearers will face Sudanese giants Al Merrikh on Saturday away in Omdurman and their Portuguese trainer remains upbeat about their chances. Read on for the details of the interview Pedroto granted Cafonline.com ahead of the game;

Cafonline.com: What kind of game are you looking forward to against Al Merrikh?

Bernardino Pedroto: It will be a difficult match. We watched Al Merrikh against TP Mazembe when we were in Sudan two month ago to play Sudanese Al Amal and that match enabled us to put a serious programme towards Saturday’s game. Against Mazembe, they exhibited a dynamic concept, good players and are dangerous to beat at home with their teeming fans always behind them. We play every game to win and we are aware we in a difficult group.

Cafonline.com: What will be your approach for the game?

Bernardino Pedroto: We must display a lot of concentration in our play. Merrikh is a strong side with talented footballers, creative and are also physical. We have to be fast on the ball defensively and offensively.

Cafonline.com: How are you hoping to contain your opponents?

Bernardino Pedroto: Al Merrikh play as a collective team. Also, they have wonderful supporters who always motivate and instil so much confidence in their players, and that will make the game very difficult for us. Victory is the best result we are looking forward to achieve. There are six games to be played and it will be good to start with a win.

Cafonline.com: Interclube eliminated Al Merrikh last year in the Orange CAF Champions League. What will you be doing different on Saturday?

Bernardino Pedroto: This is a different game, because last year’s was at the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League. This time, we are facing at the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. Last year is history, and our focus is on Saturday’s game.

Cafonline.com: How do you feel being in the same group with three Sudanese clubs?

Bernardino Pedroto: It is just a coincidence and nothing more. We played Al Amal, also from Sudan at the previous round, so we are familiar with playing against Sudanese teams. Sudan is a great country with nice people. We are not perturbed about facing three Sudanese clubs in the same group. We have a plan for the competition and our objective is to reach the semis.

Cafonline.com: Do you believe Interclube can make it to the last four?

Bernardino Pedroto: We want to be in the semi-final, but to reach there we have to win our games in the group and finish at least second in the group. We will do our best to achieve this goal. Our realistic goal is the final and we are serious about that. We are not here to only compete, but also make a huge impression.

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